Automation Alley opens training center at OU

Troy-based Automation Alley opened its Product Lifecycle Management Center at Oakland University today, with the goal of providing affordable training and certification to alleviate what is considered to be a severe shortage of employees in Southeast Michigan with proficiency in product lifecycle management.

The center is located inside OU Inc., a Smart Zone business accelerator on the OU campus in Rochester.

The center is a partnership between Automation Alley, a nonprofit business development organization; Siemens AG; the Michigan Economic DevelopmentCorp.; Warren-based Geometric Solutions; Troy-based SolidThinking Inc., and OU's School ofEngineering and Computer Science.

The center will offer training using the latest equipment, including computer-aided design, engineering manufacturing and other technologies, including digital factory simulation, 3-D scanning and 3-D printing.

Product lifecycle management is a process of managing a product from conception through design, manufacturing, service and disposal.

Ken Rogers, Automation Alley's executive director, said at the opening ceremony that the center grew out of a meeting a year ago with 30 area manufacturing companies.

"There was a problem in finding a workforce capable of working with these technologies," he said.

Alex Violassi, the director of the lifecycle management center, said that a schedule of classes and the fee structure is still being worked out. He said those interested in attending classes should check for updates on the Automation Alley website, www.automationalley.com.

He said the first classes, planned for early March, will be half-day workshops for company executives and will be free of charge. He said he hopes to begin two-day basic courses in what he described as "PLM 101" in mid-March. More intensive, longer courses should begin in April, he said.

"We'll be offering a road map, which is key," he said. "Students can come in and get guidance on what they need to take to get where they want."